October 22, 2012

Have you ever had a secret you wish wasn't a secret? That's how I always feel about my designs that are in the transit period between acceptance and publication!

Today I have the pleasure to introduce the Pleiades Shawl, which is my design in the new Interweave Crochet Accessories!

I received my commission to make this design the day I arrived on my 3 week vacation to beautiful sunny Florida last spring! I had a lot of fun designing the color scheme that makes this shawl unique - no two are alike! I can't see what other people make from this design...I think that the sky is the limit!

October 19, 2012

My first post in the beginning of this series was very helpful to myself! That day I decided to really get the ball rolling on this project by looking for some furniture for my room!

I found the perfect dresser for my space on Craigslist this week for $25. It's currently sitting in the bed of my Grandpa's truck that I'm borrowing for the weekend. It's too heavy for just me to carry into the apartment :)

I hit the jackpot of deals (in my humble opinion) today! I wanted to pick up some material at Joann's that could be hung on both sides of my large sliding patio door. I found this bold fabric in the red dot row for $5 a yard! I was skeptical that it would be enough for my project...but turns out, it was JUST enough! Wait, it gets even better. Red dot fabric is 50% off this weekend! So...I got 4-1/8 yards of fabric for just $10!

My luck continued to my trip over to Home Depot after this. Last night I ran over there just before they closed (our apartment is only 3 blocks away!) and picked out a whole bunch of paint chips. Dustin and I both really liked a specific color, so I went back today to buy a little sample bottle of it. When I walked into the paint area to find a person to talk to, I saw a little group of "oops" paints that were priced very nicely...and what do you think I saw? A paint that was almost exactly the right color! The only difference is that it's a bit darker, which I think will actually lend itself a lot better to the room. I was able to purchase a whole gallon of paint for just $7! Let the painting begin :)

The color I bought is the little dot in the corner. This definitely isn't a good representation of it.

So, my work is definitely cut out!

I spent some time the last few days working on cleaning up my room as well. I took some pictures this morning...but it's even improved since then so I won't disgust you with how un-tidy it still is ;)

On a crochet note - Have you seen the sneak peak of the new Interweave Crochet Accessories? Somebody you know may just have a piece published in it...Yup. Me! Stay tuned to see pictures (unless you want to buy the digital copy...like I did!) of my design!

October 16, 2012

The first thing I thought this morning when I rolled out of bed was that I needed to take some pictures for this blog post....and that I'm crazy.

I'm definitely one of those people who are worried to death about what people think...so it will be a miracle when I am able to hit the "Publish" button on this post!

This is my first ever studio. In my first ever apartment! I managed to get married and move into said apartment at the beginning of the first semester I've ever been in college full time. Oh yeah, and I have 2 part time jobs plus my own photography business that I've been keeping up with. So, needless to say, I haven't found much time to unpack. Which is still inexcusable for the condition of these pictures I'm about to show you. Ready? I'm not sure I am...but here it goes!

Ugh...I did it!

This room is kind of small...big enough to hold all of the crap that my previous bedroom and walk in closet hosted though! And would you believe that this room has had some stuff taken out of it already? I've got all of my clothes sorted through (for the most part) and hung in my bedroom closet...so I'm pretty much down to knick knacks and yarn and sewing patterns and fabric...and boxes and more boxes! And 2 sad looking plastic shelving units.

Umm...yeah. I'll spare you the gory details of unit number 2.

So, my new blog project for who knows how long is called Project Simplification. I dream of having a beautiful, approachable studio like this one.

Hubby and I have plans to go to Ikea this weekend (HURRAY!) to buy much needed bedroom furniture (confession: our mattress is still on the floor). I also have some plans to buy some things to make my studio a little bit happier place to habituate. I would like to install a curtain wire along the wall where that sad storage unit number 1 currently sits. I'm not sure what color I'm going to end up going with in the room (We can't paint), except that I will have some pretty egg shell blue accents.

I'm also keeping my eyes open for a dresser to purchase for super cheap either through craigslist or at goodwill. I have plans for it like this dresser

October 15, 2012

Fall always puts me into the mood to start doing things. Whether it is baking, cooking, crocheting or my new fun and exciting thing, home decorating, I love doing things that make me feel good. I wish doing school work fell higher on this list!! ;)

The first priority I have for my "doing" list this fall is Decluttering my life!! You know all of those gorgeous pictures of studios, bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms that look perfect? I want that house! Having a clean, clutter free space is so relieving to my mind after I get home from a long day at school.

All of my stuffed was moved into our apartment over a month ago already...and it's all still sitting somewhere close to where it was when my parents set it down!

Will you join me in the process of getting my new studio/office space ready for some major crochet-spiration time? I know the only way I'll be motivated to get it all done is having some accountability from the rest of the crochet world!

Tomorrow will be the beginning of day 1...where I find the courage to show you what this room currently looks like.

On a crochet note...I have a new tutorial coming up this week! I'm designing a guitar strap for a friend of mine here at school which has inspired this fun tutorial! Can't wait to share!